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Monthly Archives: August 2018

Since having written and self-published When God Turned His Head in 2010, I realized that the book was one of those self-published books that the big publishing companies warn you about. It was a good story, but poorly proofed, poorly formatted and poorly marketed.

Over the next few years I was able to take care of the proofing and formatting problems which enabled me to write eleven books in eight years. I even did most of my own cover designs. People complemented me on the quality of my paperbacks and the final product in digital format.

I can create a book from scratch without additional costs. (At least until recently when the cover design site that I had been using became a paid site.) If I can do it for myself, why not do editing and formatting for others as well?

I can write my own books and publish them, but after several years of writing books I realized that my bottleneck was now in marketing those books. The books weren’t selling, and it wasn’t because they weren’t any good. Rather it was because I just had not had enough publicity and I couldn’t afford to get it in the traditional manner.

During the past several months, I have been working on creating a marketing system to help me promote my books. I have been reading a lot of different books related to marketing and selling. This is not a subject that most authors, particularly fiction authors are adept.

Not long after I published When God Turned His Head, I knew I wanted to start my own publishing company. This company would do like most publishing companies do and publish the books and distribute them to (Independent) bookstores, but in addition, we would also go beyond what most publishing companies do and assist authors in the marketing process. I would include a public relations department in the publishing company.

The Birth of a Publishing Business

About a year ago, I named this future business Jerjoboch Publishing, and I have been thinking about services that Jerjoboch will offer authors. These services will be offered in such a way that all authors can afford to use these services. The business will offer a low monthly service where authors will have the ability to have access to several author services that the authors provide for one another.

The self-publishing projects will be divided into three different sections.

One: Writing and Editing

• Educational Courses offered for writing fiction and nonfiction books-authors themselves can produce these videos and written documents to share with others who would like to be authors.
• Editing services exchanged between authors so they don’t need out of pocket financing for this service.

Other Ideas for this type of Publishing Business

• Create a fund for authors just starting out.
• Teach authors about crowd-sharing, do campaigns where authors help one another out.
• Work as a team to get crowd funding for the collective group to use for tradeshows and other events.
• Sell stuff online and off that promotes our business to other authors and those who support authors.
• Have creative writing groups in schools and in child organizations around the country to help create more imaginative authors.
• Work with radio stations and podcasters to get authors onto programs.
• Have a list of low-cost resources available at a low cost per month and have a list of items that have some revolving cost every month.
• Create and promote our own online (and brick and mortar?) store to sell books in print and digitally.

So what do you think? What are some other ideas that authors and soon-to-be authors need to become more successful at earning an income writing?

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For a long time, I have been thinking about starting my own publishing company. I have been thinking about it since I finished writing my first book and while I was in college. I want the business to be author-centric. In other words, I want it to be a company where authors are the owners rather than just a commodity of the publishing business.
Since 2010, I have been learning how to self-publish. I made a lot of mistakes, but I learned from them, and I know I can help others avoid many of the mistakes that I made.

Over a year ago, I started writing a business plan. I decided that it would be best if the business was a corporation and I decided that it would be best if this corporation was an S corporation.
I also thought of a name for the business I decided to call it Jerjoboch Publications.
Then I got stuck. I got stuck because I was too busy writing books to find enough time to learn what I needed to learn about building a business.
I also needed money. You can’t establish a corporation without spending some money. However, I didn’t have the money to invest, nor did I feel that I had enough followers or connections with fellow authors to make this dream come true.
Because I needed to know more about marketing, since the end of NaNoWriMo last November, I have been researching that subject.

I have learned that one of the first things that I need to know is who my customers are. My customers are self-published authors who want to take charge of their own books and earn accordingly.

Starting last month, I have been reaching out to fellow self-published authors whose goal is to be in control of their own publishing fate. I am looking for authors who would like to form a corporation where we can work together to build an online self-published author nurturing center, a self-publishing author publishing company, an author PR firm and an author promotions company. In other words a corporation dedicated to helping authors control their own destiny.

Do you have the dream of self-publishing a book, but you don’t know where to start or what to do next? Contact me at cygnetbrown@gmail.com and we’ll see what we can do to help you. You can also check out the book I wrote about the writing process directed toward business owners who are considering self-publishing as well. Check it out at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076NWLTSP

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How to Become Legendary by Being Different

by Christopher Lochhead and Heather Clancy

Some books in the business genre are how-to books and others are more inspirational. Although How-to is in the title, I would say that Niche Down is more inspirational than how-to. However, this doesn’t mean that I don’t value the book.

The whole premise of the book is that in if you want to be seen in the business world today, specifically being known online, you must have a very specific niche that you own. As Hal Elrod, the author of The Miracle Morning said in the forward, it wasn’t good enough that he was a good generic motivational speaker, author and coach, he had to be known as “The Miracle Morning” guy. You must be known for a niche that you own. You must determine how you are different.

You must be original.
You must break new ground.
You must be unique.

The authors Christopher Lochhead and Heather Clancy bring their own stories into the book. They have experience with this concept.

Christopher is a podcaster and a writer. According to Lochhead, “I prefer to collaborate with amazing people.” Heather Clancy was a journalist who, Lochhead admits taught him the business. According to Lochhead, he wrote this book because data showed that we are at the lowest levels of entrepreneurship in America history. He wanted to change that.

Clancy started her career in New York and specialized in writing about businesses like IBM and Bill Gates. She spent 20 years following the information-technology revolution. She took freelance assignments that focused on entrepreneurs because as she states, “they are fascinating, independent and creative.” When print media collapsed in 2007, she niched down and follow companies that had ecological ties.

The thesis of the book is if you want to become legendary in business, you had to declare and define a niche. The book explores individuals, and entrepreneurships that create their own niche and to become legendary in that niche. It revolves around identifying a problem that people have, create a solution, and capitalize on that solution.
The book isn’t just about theory, but demonstrates how numerous other individuals found problems, created solutions, and capitalized on that solution.

Although the book says that it is a “how to” in the title, if you’re looking for a how-to book, you’re apt to be disappointed. However, if you want inspiration for developing your own niched down entrepreneurial business, then this is definitely a must-read book.

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Recently, I listened to a YouTube video where Jeff Johnson said, “Habits will either create lifestyle growth or inhibit lifestyle growth. “

Most of my life I have been working to improve my habitual life. Here are a few things that I had learned over the years about building good habits and getting rid of those habits that do not contribute to growth.

Made Changes Incrementally

I learned that I needed to get rid of bad habits incrementally rather than trying to do it “cold turkey”. When I quit smoking 27 years ago, I had to stop smoking menthols before I quit smoking all together. Then I went from smoking a pack a day to smoking 15 per day down to 10 per day and so on until I was down to smoking two or three a day, and then I was able to quit.

I broke habits that didn’t bring me growth by first disconnecting with triggers. For instance, I would smoke as soon as I got out of bed. I determined to put off my first cigarette until after I ate breakfast. Once I put off smoking the first cigarette beyond breakfast I then stopped smoking when I drank coffee.

Replace Bad Habits with Good Ones

One of the bad habits that I am trying to break right now regards eating junk food. I decided that I would replace the junk food with fresh fruit and nuts. This is just one step that I am taking to improve my diet. More habit changes are in the works.

Build new habits around habits that are already established. We all have habits that we have already established. I get up, make my bed, take my shower, brush my teeth, and then I write in my journal for fifteen minutes and then I exercise. I am building this new habit incrementally-exercising for five minutes per day weeks 1-3, ten minutes weeks 4-6 twenty minutes weeks 7-9, twenty-five minutes weeks 10-12 and 30 minutes weeks 13-15.

Change Begins in the Mind

Probably the most important aspect of changing habits, however, is the changes that happen in the mind. The most important aspect of changing habits has to do with “why change?” We change because we first become emotionally desperate to change. We change because we need to change more than we need to stay the same.

Know Your Why

Journaling why we want to quit is more important as we become more adept in the habit change than it does when we first start the habit change. As time goes on, we forget how painful the old habit had been. When we are tempted to go back to the old habits, it helps to go back and read what we wrote when we first quit. It reminds us of where we came from and the struggles that got us to where we were now.

Having an accountability partner is helpful. Having a mentor (sponsor) or being part of a group that are trying to change in the same ways that you are, are the powerful social influences in habit change.

What have you personally done to change your own habits? What habits have you changed and how did you do it?

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Summer is the time of year that we want to kick back and enjoy those lazy crazy days. In August and the heat of summer, who wants to eat a hot breakfast when its so hot outside not to mention cook one? A person could eat cold cereal and milk. However, I don’t know about you, but I have found that cold cereal doesn’t hold me over until lunch.

In addition, most food that we eat at breakfast isn’t always that nutritious. Most breakfast cereals are loaded with too much sugar and salt. That’s why I love this summer cool smoothie that I make.

Here’s the recipe.

One cup of Kale or spinach

Kale is low in saturated fat, and very low in cholesterol. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Calcium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.
Kale boosts your intake of water-soluble vitamins. It also contains Vitamin C and a range of B vitamins, including vitamin B-1, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and vitamins B-5 and B-6. These nutrients support your metabolism and help maintain healthy skin and hair.
I can tell you that I can see a huge improvement in my own skin and hair. My skin appears to be clearer and softer. My hair is shiny and healthy.
At just 34 calories per cup, kale is an undeniable superfood.

Though spinach is not the powerhouse that Kale is, I like to use it as a change of pace from Kale. This food is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese. One advantage that spinach has over Kale is that it has a glycemic index of 0 compared to Kale’s 3. (Lower numbers are better than the higher ones.

Blueberries are very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, and a very good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Manganese. Adding other foods with complementary amino acid profiles to this food may yield a more complete protein source and improve the quality of some types of restrictive diets.

Blackberries-much like spinach, raisins, apples, plums and grapes, blackberries are rich in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, but other nutritional benefits include a very low sodium count and having only 62 calories to a cup. The dark blue color ensures blackberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits.

Red Raspberries are very high in dietary fiber. Up to 20 percent of their total weight is made up of fiber. They’re also a good source of vitamin C, B vitamins, folic acid, manganese, copper, magnesium and iron. The high polyphenol content in raspberries may also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by preventing platelet buildup and reducing blood pressure via anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Strawberries are very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Folate and Potassium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C and Manganese.

Cherries One cup of cherries is less than 90 calories. That same cup of cherries has 3 grams of fiber, which aids in digestion, lowers cholesterol, controls blood sugar and can help with weight loss. Cherries are a good source of vitamin C, with 16% of the daily recommended value in one cup.

Kiwi is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Potassium and Copper, and a very good source of Vitamin C and Vitamin K.

Peaches has 50 calories, 15 grams of carbohydrate, 0.5 grams of fat, 13 grams of sugar, 1 gram of protein, and 2 grams of fiber. The peach is an exceptional source of vitamin C, a necessary antioxidant that can eradicate free radicals.

Mango has a unique, delightful taste and is one of the most nutritious fruits. One cup of mango provides nearly 25% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, two thirds of daily allowance for vitamin A, and good amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin E, pectin, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium.

One Banana and Half a Cup of Frozen Pineapple

Two fruits that I always include in my smoothies are pineapple and banana. I use ½ cup of frozen pineapple and one banana in my smoothies every morning.

Pineapple is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Thiamin, Vitamin B6 and Copper, and a very good source of Vitamin C and Manganese.

Pineapple contains Bromelain. Bromelain is a complex mixture of substances that can be extracted from the stem and core fruit of the pineapple. Among dozens of components known to exist in this crude extract, the best studied components are a group of protein-digesting enzymes (called cysteine proteinases). Originally, researchers believed that these enzymes provided the key health benefits found in bromelain, a popular dietary supplement containing these pineapple extracts. In addition, researchers believed that these benefits were primarily limited to help with digestion in the intestinal tract. However, further studies have shown that bromelain has a wide variety of health benefits, and that many of these benefits may not be related to the different enzymes found in this extract. Excessive inflammation, excessive coagulation of the blood, and certain types of tumor growth may all be reduced by therapeutic doses of bromelain when taken as a dietary supplement. Studies are not available, however, to show these same potential benefits in relationship to normal intake of pineapple within a normal meal plan. The fruit shows some unique health-supportive properties, including possible digestion-related and anti-inflammatory benefits.A banana is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium and Manganese, and a very good source of Vitamin B6. It also produces a creamy texture that imitates cream.

Soymilk, Coconut Milk, or Almond Milk-1 Cup

Finally I use a combination of soymilk, coconut milk and almond milk which liquefy the smoothie and add nutrition of their own.Soy milk is rich in protein, and fortified with some of the same micronutrients found in cow’s milk — such as calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, phosphorous, vitamin A, and vitamin B-12. One cup of soy milk generally provides about 8 grams of protein, the same amount found in a cup of low-fat cow’s milk. Soy milk is a nutritious substitute that doesn’t have lactose and shouldn’t cause any negative side effects found in cow’s milk.
While numerous possible health benefits exist for drinking soy milk, some studies show potential concerns. A review published in 2014 in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine reports that some studies show soy might negatively impact fertility in men, while other studies show no effects. Some studies show soy increases thyroid hormone activity, while other studies found that soy decreases thyroid function. Lastly, milk protein appears to be more effective than soy protein at increasing lean muscle mass in athletes. For my purposes, however, soy seems to be a good fit, because it also contains phytoestrogen which is great for woman who is post-menopausal.

Adding Almond milk to a healthy, well-balanced diet is a good way to help reduce certain disease risks, including heart disease. However, almond milk is much lower in protein compared with cow’s milk and soy milk. Calorie wise, unsweetened almond milk has just 30 calories per cup whereas skimmed cow’s milk or soymilk has 80 calories per cup.

Coconut milk adds a unique coconut flavor to the smoothie. Coconut milk is highly nutritious and rich in vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 and minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Unlike cow’s milk, coconut milk is lactose free so can be used as a milk substitute by those with lactose intolerance. It is a popular choice with vegans and makes a great base for smoothies, milkshakes or as a dairy alternative in baking.

There you have it, my morning smoothie. I figure that this nutrition packed drink contains a total of about 300 calories that provides more than half of my daily nutritional needs of vitamins and minerals as well as about one third of my protein needs for the day.